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MrWebAuthor MSN BlogLearn about Windows, Microsoft, Internet security, how to use your computer, and what's happening with the TechTV Alumni.
July 12 Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3I know, I know...I hear it all the time. People say you shouldn't use this or that from Microsoft because it could be insecure. HOG-WASH!
All of our computers here at MrMrsWebAuthor.com run Windows XP, we use Microsoft Office 2003, we're on a DSL connection, and we never, let me stress the word NEVER get any adware, spyware, malware, viruses, trojans, worms, or even unwanted cookies. For those of you who say that Microsoft doesn't think or care about security, I say you're wrong! If you DO WHAT THEY SAY, pay very close attention to everything going on in and with your computers, you can maintain a healthy PC environment!
As for the latest addition to Microsoft's suite of innovative products comes the brand new Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3. I was reluctant to download the first two betas because I'm not too keen on installing anything that's 1st-version beta, but I bit at this new Beta 3 version -- hook, line and sinker. After running it one of our PCs and realizing it's more stable than I'd expected, I've since added it to all our computers.
Click the logo above to see what's new in this latest beta version. If I hadn't already been using this and found it to be working great, I wouldn't even have attempted publishing this blog post. But, I am using it, and this piece of software rocks! Would I recommend it? Of course, that's what I'm doing right now. Check it out for yourself. Make sure your computer lives up to the suggested System Requirements before downloading. If all is good, I say GO FOR IT!
June 25 Yahoo Q&AI just came across something the other day that I think you'll find interesting. As you know - if you stay up to date with all things new on the Internet - Yahoo (like MSN, Live, and Microsoft) is constantly coming out with something that's cutting edge. Let me tell you about one of those new services at Yahoo called Yahoo Q&A.
Now, how this works is Yahoo members post questions that are divided up into categories, and other Yahoo members (just like you and me, you don't have to be a professional or anything) answer those questions. There's a point-rating system set up where it cost you so many points to ask a question, but you receive points back for answering. It's really pretty cool, and if you're not careful, it can become almost addicting.
You get to set yourself up a cool little profile page that allows you to describe yourself, offer a link back to your Yahoo 360 page, and list all the questions you've asked and answered. Here, take a look at my Yahoo Q&A Profile to see how it looks.
Let me take this moment to warn you...just like any other online forum or message board, you're going to get your trash talkers. Just do what I do, ignore them and go onto the next question. I wish Yahoo instantly deleted every raunchy question and then banned that user immediately, but only in a perfect world. Give it a try. Ask. Answer. Have Fun!
June 11 Microsoft Photo Story 3 for WindowsIn case you haven't noticed, I haven't posted in quite some time. With my dad's illness, which eventually led to his passing, the whole latter part of last year was a blur. Immediately after my dad passed on, we decided to remodel our home, put it up for sale, clear some land on some property we owned, have a new house built, move and start a whole new career. As of right now, all of that has come to pass and we are all settled into our brand new home. Anyway, that's where I've been, what I've been doing, and why I haven't posted on my MSN blog for such a long time.
Now, onto what I want to share with you today. Have you ever heard of Microsoft's Photo Story editing software? If you haven't, sit back for a minute and let me tell you about something SO COOL it'll change the way you share digital pictures from here on out.
I've only used it once because I just downloaded it the other day, but what I did with a batch of my wife's and my fifth anniversay pictures was nothing short of astounding. Imagine sharing photos as a slideshow, with special effects, page transitions, text, and even music. You'd just have to see it to believe it, I'm telling you now for sure. If you have a broadband connection, view this slideshow from my Yahoo Videos Profile. Give it a little time to load, and then check out what I did, and remember, it was my first time using this program. Talk about USER-FRIENDLY!
Now, what's probably the coolest thing about this amazing little program is that it's free. Yes, I said FREE! Microsoft is giving it away. Be sure to check out the system requirements to make sure your PC is up to snuff to handle it, and then download it ASAP and start making your own slideshow movies today.
December 15 I'm Finally Back OnlineWell, after a lengthy absence from the Internet, I'm finally back online and ready to get down to business. I haven't actually been disconnected, per se, but we had some major events recently that required my presence elsewhere other than right here in front of my computer.
See, my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer in August of 2005. In no time at all, his health deteriorated, he became jaundiced, lost nearly 40 lbs., was hospitalized, had to have five surgeries, and eventually died shortly before November. I spent a lot of time traveling back and forth from Tulsa to Joplin visiting him at his home and the hospital. Here's a picture of my dad and mom back when he was alive:
 Since then, I've been spending a lot of time communicating with family and doing a lot of the post-funeral things people do when they lose a loved-one. It's been a month and a half since his funeral, and I'm finally back online and ready to get on with my life.
I know much of this is unimportant to the average surfer who might've ended up here at my blog unexpectedly, but for those of you who know me and have wondered, "What happened to Mark? I haven't seen him online (hardly at all) in the last few weeks.", this is my little explanation of why I haven't been around. Just to let you know...though this qualifies as one of the toughest life events I've ever experienced, I'm doing fine and all is well. Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to read this post.
September 19 Test Your Computer Security KnowledgeI came across something over on the Microsoft website that I think you might find kind of interesting. They offer a few little quizzes where you can test your computer security knowledge. Now, these are nothing elaborate by any means, but they do ask some of the basic questions that we all should be able to answer.
After you go through and answer the questions, you can check your answers by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. A couple of the quizzes offer you a 2nd level test you can take with questions that're a little harder than the first pages. Explanations and links to followup information are provided on the answers page along with your scores for each question.
Like I said, they're not college exams, and hopefully they aren't too hard for the average person, but they will let you know if you need to study up on computer and Internet security. Are you an Internet Pro, a Geek In Training, or does your computer already have some sort of a virus?
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